Sunday, August 29, 2010

Summer is waning, the days are getting shorter, there is a breath of coolness in the air and we fall gently back into the normal rhythm of work, school and family. The seasons change and we are revitalized yet sometimes we yearn for summer vacation to never end. As we sit down for a breather, wrap our hands around a warm mug of coffee and slice ourselves another sliver of cake, we think back to the summers of our childhood, those innocent days when we could wake up every morning, jump out of bed, slip into a swimsuit or shorts and head outside to play without a worry in the world. Biking or kicking a ball around in the street with the other kids while mom made lunch for us, a day trip to the zoo or the circus as it passed through town or packing our bags to head off to grandma’s house where we would be spoiled and pampered as only children can be, summer school holidays were a time of freedom and joy, non-stop amusement and the kind of excitement that can only happen to a kid in the summertime.

This month’s Mac Attack challenges you to bake a macaron inspired by a childhood summer memory: make your macaron as salty as the waves rushing up over your legs as you dance in the ocean, sweet as the candy apples eaten at a county fair, as fun as the popcorn enjoyed at a drive-in movie (where you would go in your pajamas!) or the circus as it passed through town. Close your eyes and imagine a favorite summer holiday of your youth, whether at camp or at the grandparents, traveling to foreign countries or in your own backyard. Cookouts or beach parties, bonfires or barbecues, 4th of July fireworks or the clowns and confetti at a small-town parade, be inspired by a magical moment in your youth, something that makes you smile, a memory that stirs up scents and flavors of a special time and transform it into a tasty, delicate macaron.

Mac Attack #11 - Long ago & far away ... CHILDHOOD SUMMER MEMORIES

Please have your Mac Attack post up no later than Sep 20, 2010.

Here are the rules of the game:

Once you have posted your Mac Attack macarons on your blog, make sure that you mention the Mactweets Mac Attack challenge in your post and link back to the Mactweets blog.

Please link back to this challenge on your post.

Feel free to promote the Mactweets blog by proudly displaying the Mactweets badge in your Mac Attack post as well as in your sidebar! It isn't mandatory but is a nice way to get the word out!

Wednesday, August 25, 2010

The Mactweets kitchen took on a whole new dimension this month with our latest theme:

A Summer Flick!

As the MacBakers bustled around our kitchen, jostling each other as we grabbed for spatulas and pastry bags, as sifters sifted and mixers whirred, we all seemed to be humming show tunes or reciting lines from favorite films. Dashing in and out of the MacLivingroom, we switched dvd's as fast as we could, pulling out one as the film ended, pushing in the next for another show. No popcorn for us as we sandwich macarons together with ganache and creams of all flavors, no, indeed! We nibble on home-baked macarons, of course, as we enjoy those golden oldies, chick flicks, film noir or kids' movies!

This month's Mac Attack challenge was to create a delectable macaron inspired by a summer movie and once again our MacPassionate Bakers came up with an amazing, incredible array of tasty treats. So go ahead, choose your film, choose your mac and as the lights go down and the screen turns bright, share a few delicious, gorgeous macs with us!